Method and system for adjusting user speech in a communication session

ABSTRACT

A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, receive user speech captured at a second end user device during a communication session between the second end user device and a first end user device, apply speech recognition to the user speech, identify an unclear word in the user speech based on the speech recognition, adjust the user speech to generate adjusted user speech by replacing all or a portion of the unclear word with replacement audio content, and provide the adjusted user speech to the first end user device during the communication session. Other embodiments are disclosed.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to a method and system for adjusting userspeech in a communication session.

BACKGROUND

Communication systems are utilized for providing content to end userdevices during communication sessions. The content can be of varioustypes, such as voice, video and/or data, and can be of various formats.These formats can depend on a number of different factors includingdevice capability and network capability. Not every one of the formatsis suitable for each user, and users often have preferences as to howcontent is to be presented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIGS. 1-9 depict illustrative embodiments of systems for providing oneor more accessibility adjustments such as during a communicationsession;

FIGS. 10-11 depict illustrative embodiments of methods operating inportions of one or more of the systems described in FIGS. 1-9 and 12-13;

FIGS. 12-13 depict illustrative embodiments of systems for providing oneor more accessibility adjustments such as during a communicationsession;

FIG. 14 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication devicethat can perform or otherwise facilitate accessibility adjustments suchas during a communication session; and

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments of systems and methods for providing accessibilityadjustments for one or more users via adjustments to content, such asvarious user input including user speech, images, and/or text, as wellas other content. The accessibility adjustments can be based on detectedor determined impairments (e.g., hearing, vision, speech, cognitive,motor skill, and so forth) and/or can be based on other factors, such asuser preferences. In one or more embodiments, user preferences andaccessibility requirements can be identified (e.g., in the Core Network)via accessibility profile tools. In other embodiments, media can bedynamically adapted to satisfy or address other issues, such asenvironmental conditions. In one or more embodiments, communicationsoccur between users and a multimedia accessibility platform (e.g., anapplication server in the core network, such as an IMS core network) canadapt content to meet user's desires. The adapted content can then beprovided to the end user device for presentation to the user as part ofthe communication session.

In one or more embodiments, the communication session can be monitoredto detect unclear words in user speech so that all or a portion of theunclear word can be adjusted so that the adjusted unclear word is clearto the intended recipient during the communication session. Theidentification of the unclear word can be performed utilizing speechrecognition. In one or more embodiments, user profiles can be accessedto facilitate the identification of unclear words, such as profileinformation indicating a user's propensity to drop syllables from theends of words or a user's accent. In one or more embodiments, categoriesof problematic words, sounds, letters, vowels, consonants and so forthfor a user can be identified in the user's profile to facilitatedetermining the unclear words. As an example, a user's profile canidentify that the user has a speech impairment resulting in a difficulttime pronouncing the letter “s.” This impairment information can be usedin conjunction with the speech recognition to identify unclear words inwhich the user was unable to sufficiently pronounce the “s” letter. Inone embodiment, libraries that are customized for speech impairments canbe accessed, such as a library that maps audio with a dropped syllableor with an unpronounced “s” letter to the corresponding word.

In one or more embodiments, adaptation functions can take intoconsideration network capabilities and device capabilities and/ornetwork conditions. In one or more embodiments, an API can be providedto expose functionality to 3rd party developers. In one or moreembodiments, the multimedia accessibility platform architecture can bebased on a USP platform. The adaptation functionality can be provided onits own, or in an existing application server (e.g., TAS or PS). Variousaccessibility adjustments can be performed including all or a portion ofan unclear word being replaced (e.g., by synthesized or recordedspeech); selective speech frequency amplification (e.g., a hearing aidin the cloud); speech to text conversion; speech to sign languageconversion; sign language to speech conversion; text adaptation (e.g.,enlargement, font change, color change and so forth); text to speechconversion; closed captioning; auditory amplification in the range ofmusic frequencies; color blindness adaptation; physical interfacingadaptation; epilepsy triggering prevention modifications (e.g., removalof selected stimuli from the content that is associated with an epilepsytrigger); input/output device capability enhancements; core networkintelligence considerations. In one or more embodiments, multipleadaptations can be performed for individuals on both the transmittingand receiving sides of a communication session or connection. Forexample, a user could be provided with speech amplification in additionto closed captioning.

Other embodiments are included in the subject disclosure. The exemplaryembodiments can include one or more components or steps described inU.S. Patent Application entitled “Method and System for ManagingMultimedia Accessibility” to Wohlert et al. filed contemporaneouslyherewith under Ser. No. 14/065,866, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference herein.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure is a method that includesreceiving, by a system including a processor, user speech captured at asecond end user device during a communication session between the secondend user device and a first end user device, where the user speech isreceived by the system from the second end user device. The method caninclude applying, by the system, speech recognition to the user speech.The method can include identifying, by the system, an unclear word inthe user speech based on the speech recognition. The method can includeadjusting, by the system, the user speech to generate adjusted userspeech by replacing a portion of the unclear word with replacement audiocontent without replacing a remainder of the unclear word. The methodcan include providing, by the system, the adjusted user speech to thefirst end user device during the communication session.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a system having amemory to store executable instructions and a processor coupled with thememory. The processor, responsive to executing the executableinstructions, can perform operations including receiving user speechcaptured at a second end user device during a communication sessionbetween the second end user device and a first end user device. Theprocessor can access a second profile for a second user of the secondend user device and can access a first profile for a first user of thefirst end user device. The processor can detect at least one of anundesirable speech trait associated with the second user according tothe second profile or an impairment associated with the first useraccording to the first profile. The processor can apply speechrecognition to the user speech responsive to the detecting of at leastone of the undesirable speech trait or the impairment. The processor canidentify an unclear word in the user speech based on the speechrecognition. The processor can adjust the user speech to generateadjusted user speech by replacing at least a portion of the unclear wordwith replacement audio content. The processor can provide the adjusteduser speech to the first end user device during the communicationsession.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a computer-readablestorage device comprising computer instructions which, responsive tobeing executed by a processor of a first end user device, causes theprocessor to perform operations including receiving adjusted user speechfrom a system that includes an application server during a communicationsession between the first end user device and a second end user device.The adjusted user speech can be generated from a modification of userspeech captured at the second end user device during the communicationsession, where the modification is responsive to a detection of at leastone of an impairment of a first user of the first end user device or anundesirable speech trait of a second user of the second end user device,and where the modification includes identifying an unclear wordutilizing speech recognition and replacing a portion of the unclear wordwith replacement audio content without replacing a remainder of theunclear word. The processor can present the adjusted user speech at thefirst end user device.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure is a method that includesdetecting, by a system including a processor, a communication sessionbetween a first end user device and a second end user device, anddetermining, by the system, a first impairment associated with a firstuser of the first end user device. The system can determine a degree ofimpairment for the first impairment and can receive user input capturedat the second end user device during the communication session. Thesystem can store instructions for executing a group of adjustmenttechniques for modifying the user input, where the group of adjustmenttechniques includes amplifying selective frequencies for a first degreeof impairment and translating the user input into sign language imagesfor a second degree of impairment, and where the second degree ofimpairment is more severe than the first degree of impairment. Thesystem can select an adjustment technique from among the group ofadjustment techniques according to the degree of impairment for thefirst impairment and can access an impairment profile for the firstuser. The system can adjust the user input according to the adjustmenttechnique and the impairment profile to generate adjusted user input.The system can provide the adjusted user input to the first end userdevice during the communication session.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a system having amemory to store executable instructions and a processor coupled with thememory. The processor, responsive to executing the executableinstructions, can perform operations including determining a firstimpairment associated with a first user of a first end user device andreceiving user input captured at a second end user device during acommunication session between the first and second end user devices. Theprocessor can store instructions for executing a group of adjustmenttechniques for modifying the user input, where the group of adjustmenttechniques includes amplifying selective frequencies and translating theuser input into sign language images. The processor can select anadjustment technique from among the group of adjustment techniques andcan adjust the user input according to the adjustment technique togenerate adjusted user input. The processor can provide the adjusteduser input to the first end user device during the communicationsession.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a computer-readablestorage device comprising computer instructions which, responsive tobeing executed by a processor of a first end user device, causes theprocessor to perform operations including providing impairmentinformation to a system that includes an application server. Theprocessor can receive adjusted user input from the system during acommunication session between the first end user device and a second enduser device, where the adjusted user input is generated from amodification of user input captured at the second end user device duringthe communication session, where the modification is responsive to adetection of a first impairment of a first user of the first end userdevice and is based on an adjustment technique selected by the systemfrom among a group of adjustment techniques, where instructions forexecuting the group of adjustment techniques is accessible to thesystem, and where the group of adjustment techniques includes amplifyingselective frequencies and translating the user input into sign languageimages. The processor can present the adjusted user input at the firstend user device.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system 100 that canutilize a multimedia accessibility platform 110 (hereinafter server 110)to facilitate a communication session between a first end user 101utilizing an end user device 120 and a second end user 102 utilizinganother end user device 120. The end user devices 120 can be varioustypes of devices including smart phones, mobile devices, laptopcomputers, desktop computers, landline telephones, cordless telephones,set top boxes and/or any other communication device capable of engagingin a communication session to exchange or otherwise communicate voice,video and/or data. Platform 110 is described as a server, but it shouldbe understood that the platform 110 can be implemented using any numberof computing devices (e.g., a single server in a centralized system ormultiple server in a distributed environment), any type of computingdevices (e.g., a service provider server or a customer computingdevice), and/or any configuration of the computing device(s) (e.g., aserver farm where one or more servers are in a master/slave arrangementwith one or more other servers or a combination of service providerdevices and customer equipment performing the multimedia accessibilityplatform functions).

Server 110 can determine accessibility requirements or desires of one orboth the users 101, 102. Server 110 can execute various processingfunctions (e.g., text, audio, video and so forth) to implementaccessibility adaptation. The accessibility adaptation can includeadjustment of the multimedia content, adjusting the presentation of themultimedia content or otherwise making adjustments associated with thepresentation of the multimedia content to facilitate the accessibilityby the user to the content. In one or more embodiments, adjustments tothe content (e.g., user speech, music, graphics and so forth) can bemade and provided to the end user device in a timely manner as part ofthe communication session so that any conversation or communicationexchange is not disrupted.

As one example, the server 110 can monitor for and identify unclearwords during a communication session and replace all or a portion of theunclear word with audio content (e.g., synthesized and/or recordedspeech) as part of the communication session. The replacement of theunclear word or a portion thereof can be performed in a timely fashionso that the communication session is uninterrupted. Server 110 can alsouse a combination of adjusting a portion of an unclear word along withreplacing an entire unclear word. The identification of the unclear wordcan be based on speech recognition that can take advantage ofpersonalized libraries associated one or more of the users. In one ormore embodiments, previous communication sessions of a user can bemonitored and data can be collected to identify a propensity of the userto speak unclear words. For instance, speech impairment information canbe collected for a user that indicates words, syllables, letters and soforth that the user has difficulty pronouncing.

As another example, the server 110 can access one or more profilesassociated with one or more of the first user 101, the second user 102and/or one or both of the end user devices. These profiles can includevarious profile information and/or profiling tools associated withspeech, auditory, visual and/or cognitive information or data for theuser(s). In one or more embodiments, the server 110 can also access userpreferences for one or both of the first and second users so that thepreferences can be utilized in the accessibility adaptation.

Server 110 can address a number of different accessibility impairmentsor issues including mild hearing loss (e.g., via speech frequencyamplification), severe hearing loss (e.g., via speech to text or speechto sign language graphics), speech impairment (e.g., sign language tospeech or text to speech), mild vision impairment (e.g., via textadaptation), severe vision impairment (e.g., via text to speech), and/orcognitive disability (e.g., adjusting vocabulary). Server 110 can alsofacilitate the exchange of voice, video or data in a communicationssession in other ways such as by utilizing closed captioning, musicfrequency amplification, color blindness adaptation, physicalinterfacing adaptation, epilepsy triggering prevention modifications(e.g., via stimuli removal), addressing apraxia (motor planningdisorder, such as speech related), language translation for cognitivedisabilities (e.g. based on educational level, dyslexia, cerebral palsy,epilepsy, and so forth), and/or smart adaptation (e.g., devicelimitations, presentation environment, and so forth).

In one or more embodiments, the server 110 can determine a firstimpairment associated with first user 101 of first end user device 120,and can receive user input captured at second end user device 120 duringa communication session between the first and second end user devices.The server 110 can store instructions for executing a group ofadjustment techniques for modifying the user input, where the group ofadjustment techniques includes amplifying selective frequencies,translating the user input into sign language images, and/or modify allor a portion of an unclear word with audio content (e.g., synthesizedspeech or recorded speech). The server 110 can select an adjustmenttechnique from among the group of adjustment techniques. The server 110can adjust the user input according to the adjustment technique togenerate adjusted user input. The server 110 can provide the adjusteduser input to the first end user device 120 during the communicationsession.

In one or more embodiments, the server 110 can determine a degree ofimpairment for the first impairment, where the selecting of theadjustment technique from among the group of adjustment techniques isaccording to the degree of impairment for the first impairment. Theserver 110 can access an impairment profile for the first user 101,where the adjusting of the user input to generate the adjusted userinput is according to the impairment profile. The amplifying ofselective frequencies can be utilized for a first degree of impairment.The translating of the user input into sign language images can beutilized for a second degree of impairment, where the second degree ofimpairment is more severe than the first degree of impairment.

In one or more embodiments, the server 110 can include or otherwise bein communication with an application programming interface accessible bya remote device that is operated by a third party that is different froma service provider operating the server, where at least a portion of theinstructions for executing the group of adjustment techniques arereceived from the remote device.

In one or more embodiments, the server 110 can be an application serverof an IP multimedia subsystem network that facilitates combined servicesof circuit-switched and packet-switched systems, and can be incommunication with a serving call session control function and a mediaresource function of the IP multimedia subsystem network.

In one or more embodiments, the server 110 can determine a secondimpairment associated with the second user 102 of the second end userdevice 120 and can receive other user input captured at the first enduser device during the communication session. The server 110 can selectanother adjustment technique from among the group of adjustmenttechniques and can adjust the other user input according to theadjustment technique to generate adjusted other user input. The server110 can provide the adjusted other user input to the second end userdevice during the communication session.

In one or more embodiments, the server 110 can access an impairmentprofile for the first user 101, where the adjusting of the user input togenerate the adjusted user input is according to the impairment profile,where the impairment profile includes vision information for the firstuser, and where the group of adjustment techniques includes modifyinggraphics generated at the second end user device according to the visioninformation. The server 110 can obtain the vision information for thefirst user 101 by one of a vision test at a communication device (whichcan be the first end user device 120 or another device) of the firstuser prior to the communication session or receiving the visioninformation from a remote source operated by a third party that isdifferent from a service provider operating the system.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of system 200 in which ahearing impairment, such as mild hearing loss, is detected and addressedvia accessibility adjustment. In one embodiment, the server 110 candetermine that the user 101 has a mild hearing loss such as viaaccessing information included in profile 210. The profile 210 can bevarious types of profiles such as a user profile that includes userpreferences, user impairments (e.g., in an impairment sub-profile forthe user 101), subscriber data, QoS data and so forth. In oneembodiment, the profile 210 can include audio diagnostic data for theuser 101, such as an audiogram 220 that provides data to indicate theuser's ability to hear, such as based on different frequencies,different intensity and so forth.

In one embodiment, the audiogram can be indicative of the user's hearingthresholds which are discovered by using behavioral hearing tests orphysiological tests, such as via audiometry. In one embodiment, thehearing test can be provided at the end user device 120 or at anothercommunication device of the user, can include different tones beingpresented at a specific frequency (pitch) and intensity (loudness), andthe user 101 can provide user input to indicate that he or she has heardthe sound. The lowest intensity sound that is heard can be recorded. Inanother embodiment, the audiogram can be obtained from a remote source,such as a medical provider of the user 101 or some other entity that isunaffiliated with the service provider operating the server 110.

In system 200, the server 110 can utilize the audiogram data toselectively amplify portions of speech of user 102 during thecommunication session. The server 110 can provide the adjusted userspeech to the end user device 120 of user 101 for presentation. Thetimeliness of the amplification and the providing of the adjustedcontent can enable the communication session to continue uninterrupted.As an example, certain frequencies identified in the audiogram as beingfrequencies that are difficult for the user 101 to hear, can beamplified by the server 110 and can be provided to the end user device120 of the user 101 to be presented as adjusted speech content. In oneor more embodiments, the implementation of selective frequencyamplification as an adjustment technique can be based on userpreferences, such as indicated in the profile 210, although in otherembodiments the use of selective frequency amplification can beinitiated based on other factors, such as user input at the beginning ofa communication session.

In one or more embodiments, the server 110 can store (locally and/orremotely) instructions for executing a group of adjustment techniquesfor modifying user input (e.g., user speech). The group of adjustmenttechniques can include amplifying selective frequencies, as well asother adjustment techniques such as translating the user input into signlanguage images or modifying all or a portion of unclear words withsynthesized or recorded speech. In one embodiment, the selection of theparticular technique among the group can be based on user preferences.In another embodiment, the selection of the technique from among thegroup of techniques can be based on a degree of user impairment. Forexample, the use of selective frequency amplification can be for a firstdegree of impairment and the translation into sign language images canbe for a second degree of impairment, where the second degree ofimpairment is more severe than the first degree of impairment. In oneembodiment, the amplification of selective frequencies can be performedin combination with identifying and modifying unclear words (in whole orin part) using synthesized or recorded speech.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of system 300 in which ahearing impairment, such as a severe hearing loss, is detected andaddressed via accessibility adjustment. In one embodiment, the server110 can determine that the user 101 has a severe hearing loss such asvia accessing information included in the profile 210. In anotherembodiment, server 110 can determine that the user 101 has a preferencefor speech-to-text conversion such as via preferences identified in theprofile 210. In this embodiment, the server 110 can receive user speech325 captured at end user device 120 of second user 102. The server 110can apply speech recognition to the user speech 325 to generate text 350representative of the user speech which is then provided to end userdevice 120 of user 101 for presentation.

Various libraries can be utilized as part of the speech recognitionprocess, including natural language libraries. In one or moreembodiments, the libraries utilized for the speech recognition can beselected based on an identification of one or both of user 101, 102. Forinstance, user 102 can be identified as speaking with a particularaccent and a library corresponding to that accent can be utilized. Otherinformation, such as age, educational background, nationality,geographic location and so forth of one or both of the users 101, 102can be used as criteria in selecting libraries for generating the text350 via speech recognition.

In one or more embodiments, both the text 350 and the originalaudio-version of the user speech 325 can be provided to the end userdevice 120 of first user 101 for presentation. In another embodiment,the user speech 325 can be adjusted, such as selective frequencyamplification, and can be provided to the end user device 120 of firstuser 101, along with the text 350.

In one embodiment, the text 350 can be provided for all of the userspeech 325 or just a portion of the user speech. For instance, theserver 110 can identify a phrase that include frequencies that aredifficult for the user 101 to hear (e.g., via an audiogram for the user)and can translate the entire phrase. In another embodiment, if a phrasedoes not include a difficult frequency for the user to hear then theserver 110 can allow only the original user speech 325 to be provided tothe end user device 120 for that phrase.

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of system 400 in which ahearing impairment, such as a severe hearing loss, is detected andaddressed via accessibility adjustment. In one embodiment, the server110 can determine that the user 101 has a severe hearing loss such asvia accessing information included in the profile 210. In anotherembodiment, server 110 can determine that the user 101 has a preferencefor sign language images such as via preferences identified in theprofile 210. In this embodiment, the server 110 can receive user speech425 captured at end user device 120 of second user 102. The server 110can apply speech recognition to the user speech 425 to generate orotherwise obtain sign language images 450 that are representative of theuser speech and which are then provided to end user device 120 of user101 for presentation. In one embodiment, the server 110 can firsttranslate the user speech 425 into text, such as described in system300, and then can translate the text into sign language images 450(e.g., sign language images based on American Sign Language or otherforms of sign language).

The generation or obtaining of the sign language images 450 can be basedon various libraries or dictionaries, including libraries ordictionaries that are selected based on an identification of one or bothof users 101, 102. In one embodiment, one or more of the libraries ordictionaries can be personal libraries or dictionaries of one or both ofthe users 101, 102, such as libraries or dictionaries that are createdbased on one or more of monitoring communications of the user(s),preferences of the user(s), analyzing feedback from the user(s) and soforth. Other information, such as age, educational background,nationality and so forth of one or both of the users 101, 102 can beused as criteria in selecting libraries or dictionaries for generatingor obtaining the sign language images 450.

In one embodiment, the sign language images 450 can include an avatar475 that illustrates the sign language. The avatar 475 can be acomputer-generated graphical representation, such as of a person (e.g.,user 102), and/or can be recorded images of a person illustrating thesign language. The avatar 475 can be customized or otherwise adjustedbased on preferences of the user 101 and/or the user 102. For example,the user 101 may prefer an avatar that has an appearance similar to theappearance of user 102.

In one embodiment, the server 110 can detect a communication sessionbetween end user devices 120 of the first and second users 101, 102, andcan determine an impairment associated with the first user. The server110 can receive user speech 425 captured at the end user device 120 ofthe second user 102 during the communication session. Instructions forexecuting a group of adjustment techniques for modifying the user input425 can be accessed by the server 110, where the group of adjustmenttechniques includes translating the user speech into the sign languageimages 450, such as based on a degree of the impairment of the firstuser 101. In one embodiment, different adjustment techniques can beutilized for different degrees of impairment, such as amplifyingselective frequencies of the user speech 425 for a lesser degree ofimpairment. In this example, the server 110 can select a desiredadjustment technique from among the group of adjustment techniques suchas the sign language translation and can access a profile for the firstuser 101 (e.g., an impairment profile). The server 110 can adjust theuser speech 425 according to the selected adjustment technique (e.g.,sign language translation) and the impairment profile, and can providethe sign language images 450 to the end user device 120 of first user101 during the communication session. In one embodiment, the signlanguage images 450 can be provided to the end user device 120 of firstuser 101 along with the original user speech 425. In another embodiment,the sign language images 450 can be provided to the end user device 120of first user 101 along with a modified version of the original userspeech 425, such as selected frequency amplified speech and/or textconversion. In another embodiment, the sign language images 450 candepict the avatar 475 performing sign language as well as speaking theuser speech 425.

In one or more embodiments, the server 110 can modify or generatephysical characteristics of the avatar 475 based on user preferences,such as included in the profile 210. In one or more embodiments, theserver 110 can modify graphics based on changing size, color and/or fontof text. In one or more embodiments, the server 110 can access animpairment profile of user 101 that includes vision information for theuser, where the group of adjustment techniques includes modifyinggraphics generated at the other end user device according to the visioninformation, and where the server 110 obtains the vision information forthe user 101 by one of a vision test at a communication device of theuser 101 prior to the communication session or receiving the visioninformation from a remote source operated by a third party that isdifferent from a service provider operating the system.

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of system 500 in which aspeech impairment is detected and addressed via accessibilityadjustment. In one embodiment, the server 110 can determine that theuser 102 desires to communicate by sign language such as via accessinginformation included in the profile 210. In this embodiment, the server110 can receive sign language images 525 captured at end user device 120of second user 102. These sign language images can be captured by acamera or other image recording device of the end user device 120 (or incommunication with the end user device). The server 110 can apply imagerecognition to the sign language images 525 to generate or otherwiseobtain audio speech 550 that is representative of the sign languageimages and which is provided to end user device 120 of user 101 forpresentation. In one embodiment, the server 110 can first translate thesign language images 525 into text, such as described in system 300, andthen can translate the text into audio content 550.

The translation of sign language images 525 into audio speech 550 can bebased on various libraries or dictionaries, including libraries ordictionaries that are selected based on an identification of one or bothof users 101, 102. In one embodiment, one or more of the libraries ordictionaries can be personal libraries or dictionaries of one or both ofthe users 101, 102, such as libraries or dictionaries that are createdbased on one or more of monitoring communications of the user(s),preferences of the user(s), and so forth. Other information, such asage, educational background, nationality and so forth of one or both ofthe users 101, 102 can be used as criteria in selecting libraries ordictionaries for translating the sign language images 525 to the audiospeech 550. In one or more embodiments, the audio speech 550 can be invarious languages.

In one or more embodiments, the audio content 550 can be generatedutilizing synthesized speech. In other embodiments, the audio content550 can be generated using recorded speech. Combinations of synthesizedand recorded speech can also be utilized, such as utilizing synthesizedspeech when a recorded version of a phrase or word is not available. Thesynthesized or recorded speech 550 can be adjusted based on userpreferences or other factors, such as gender of voice, pitch, intensity,accent and so forth. In one or more embodiments, the audio content 550can be provided to end user device 120 of user 101 along with theoriginal or a modified version of the graphics (e.g., an enlargedversion of a text message).

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of system 600 in which avision impairment, such as a mild vision impairment, is detected andaddressed via accessibility adjustment. In one embodiment, the server110 can determine that the user 101 has a mild vision impairment such asvia accessing information included in the profile 210. In anotherembodiment, server 110 can determine that the user 101 has a preferencefor particular vision-based adjustments such as via preferencesidentified in the profile 210. In this embodiment, the server 110 canreceive graphics 625, such as SMS text message, entered at end userdevice 120 of second user 102. The server 110 can obtain impairmentinformation (e.g., via an impairment profile) associated with the user101, such as an eyeglass prescription, color blindness, dyslexia and soforth. The server 110 can modify the captured graphics based on theimpairment information, such as increasing size, changing font orchanging color. The modified graphics 650 can then be provided to theend user device 120 of user 101 for presentation.

In one or more embodiments, other graphics adjustments can be made tofacilitate the communication session, such as adjusting the backgroundcolor for the text message. In one or more embodiments, text adaptationcan be performed with real time modification of HTML5 tags, CSS 3attributes in web pages to make text larger, bolder, provide morecontrast, and so forth.

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of system 700 in which avision impairment, such as a severe vision impairment, is detected andaddressed via accessibility adjustment. In one embodiment, the server110 can determine that the user 101 has a severe vision impairment suchas via accessing information included in the profile 210. In anotherembodiment, server 110 can determine that the user 101 has a preferencefor particular vision-based adjustments such as via preferencesidentified in the profile 210. In this embodiment, the server 110 canreceive graphics 725, such as SMS text message, entered at end userdevice 120 of second user 102. The server 110 can obtain impairmentinformation (e.g., via an impairment profile) associated with the user101. The server 110 can translate the captured graphics 725 based on theimpairment information to generate audio content 750 representative ofthe captured graphics. The audio content 750 can then be provided to theend user device 120 of user 101 for presentation. In one or moreembodiments, the audio content 750 can be generated based on synthesizedspeech. In other embodiments, the audio content 750 can be generatedusing recorded speech. Combinations of synthesized and recorded speechcan also be utilized. The synthesized or recorded speech 725 can beadjusted based on user preferences or other factors, such as gender ofvoice, pitch, intensity, accent and so forth. In one or moreembodiments, the audio content 750 can be provided to end user device120 of user 101 along with the original or a modified version of thegraphics 725 (e.g., an enlarged version of a text message).

FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative embodiment of system 800 in whichmultiple impairments are detected or otherwise determined. For example,a speech impairment of user 102 and a hearing impairment of user 101 canbe detected and addressed via accessibility adjustment. In oneembodiment, the server 110 can determine that the user 102 desires tocommunicate by sign language such as via accessing information includedin the profile 220. In one embodiment, the server 110 can determine thatthe user 101 desires to receive adjusted audio content such as viaaccessing information included in the profile 210. In this embodiment,the server 110 can receive sign language images 825 captured at end userdevice 120 of second user 102. The server 110 can apply imagerecognition to the sign language images 825 to generate or otherwiseobtain audio speech 850 that is representative of the sign languageimages. The audio speech 850 can be modified by server 110 based onimpairment information from the profile 210, such as an audiogram forthe user 101. For example, selected frequencies identified in theaudiogram can be amplified in the audio speech to generate an adjustedaudio speech which is provided to end user device 120 of user 101 forpresentation. In one embodiment, the server 110 can first translate thesign language images 825 into text, such as described in system 300, andthen can translate the text into audio content 850 which is then furthermodified based on the hearing impairment of user 101.

The translation of the sign language images 825 can be based on variouslibraries or dictionaries, including libraries or dictionaries that areselected based on an identification of one or both of users 101, 102. Inone embodiment, one or more of the libraries or dictionaries can bepersonal libraries or dictionaries of one or both of the users 101, 102,such as libraries or dictionaries that are created based on one or moreof monitoring communications of the user(s), preferences of the user(s),and so forth. Other information, such as age, educational background,nationality and so forth of one or both of the users 101, 102 can beused as criteria in selecting libraries or dictionaries for translatingthe sign language images 825 to the audio speech 850.

FIG. 9 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 900for providing a communication session that can deliver voice, videoand/or data, such as between users. In this embodiment, accessibilityadaptation can be performed within an IMS core network by way of anapplication server operating as server 110. However, the exemplaryembodiments also can include the server 110 operating in a network thatis not an IMS core network. In one or more embodiments, the server 110can be a separate device for providing multimedia accessibilityadjustments. In one embodiment, system 900 enables IMS originating andterminating filter criteria to invoke the accessibility adjustmentfunctionality of server 110 at session establishment.

Server 110 can be in communication with various components of the IMSnetwork such as an Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Serving Call SessionControl Function (S-CSCF), Media Resource Function (MRF) and so forth inorder to facilitate establishing the communication session, monitoringthe session and terminating the session. Server 110 can access profilesstored at storage devices 910 in the IMS network and can access tools920 that can facilitate analysis of the profiles, as well as adjustingthe multimedia content based on accessibility issues of the users.

In one or more embodiments, the system 900 can include an ApplicationProgramming Interface (API) 930 that is accessible by one or more remotedevices operated by one or more third parties that are different from aservice provider operating the system 900. In one or more embodiments,at least a portion of instructions for executing one or more adjustmenttechniques of the group of adjustment techniques can be received fromthe remote device (e.g., developed by third party developers that areindependent of the service provider operating the IMS core network).System 900 can communicate various information amongst its componentsusing various protocols, such as HTML5, XML, RTP, and so forth.

In one or more embodiments, the system 900 can generate or otherwiseobtain replacement audio content 975 that can be stored at a database orother storage device(s). In one embodiment, the replacement audiocontent can be generated by the server 110 from an end user device of auser and then stored in the database 975 for use in communicationsessions later for that user. For example, speech can be recorded at theend user device and identified as a clear word to be used in asubsequent communication session to replace an unclear word. In anotherexample, a third party can provide speech which is recorded and storedin the database 975 for subsequent use to replace all or a portion of anunclear word. In yet another example, speech can be digitally generatedincluding all or a portion of certain words (e.g., words that arefrequently mispronounced, words where syllables are frequently droppedand so forth).

FIG. 10 illustrates a method 1000 that can be performed by one or moreof the devices described in FIGS. 1-9 to provide accessibilityadjustments during a communication session. Method 1000 can begin at1002 where a communication session is detected, such as by anapplication server operating as server 110. At 1004, one or moreimpairments of one or both users can be detected or otherwisedetermined. The impairment can be identified based on various data, suchas from a profile(s) associated with one or both users, user inputentered at the time of the communication session, monitoring of previouscommunications associated with one or both of the users, user feedbackfrom prior communication sessions and so forth. At 1006, a degree of theimpairment can be determined such as from impairment information in theprofile.

At 1008, user input can be captured during the communication session.The user input can be user speech, sign language images of the user, orother content (e.g., text, graphics, music and so forth). At 1010, anadjustment technique can be selected for adjusting the user input. Inone embodiment, the adjustment technique can be selected from among agroup of adjustment techniques. In one embodiment, the selection can beaccording to the degree of the impairment. In one embodiment,instructions can be stored for executing the group of adjustmenttechniques for modifying the user input, where the group of adjustmenttechniques includes amplifying selective frequencies for a first degreeof impairment and translating the user input into sign language imagesfor a second degree of impairment, and where the second degree ofimpairment is more severe than the first degree of impairment.

At 1012, an impairment profile can be accessed for the user(s) for whomthe impairment was detected. At 1014, the user input can be adjustedaccording to the selected adjustment technique and the impairmentprofile to generate adjusted user input. At 1016, the adjusted userinput can be provided to the end user device during the communicationsession. The providing of the adjusted user input can be in place of theoriginal user input (e.g., replacing original user speech with modifieduser speech in which selected frequencies have been modified). In one ormore embodiments, the adjusted user input is being provided as part ofthe communication session in real-time or near real time or otherwisewithout a user-noticeable delay.

FIG. 11 illustrates a method 1100 that can be performed by one or moreof the devices described in FIGS. 1-9 to provide accessibilityadjustments during a communication session. Method 1100 can begin at1102 in which user speech is received by a system or device, such asserver 110. The user speech can be captured at a second end user deviceduring a communication session between the second end user device and afirst end user device. At 1104, speech recognition can be applied to theuser speech and at 1106 an unclear word in the user speech can beidentified based on the speech recognition.

Various libraries can be utilized as part of the speech recognitionprocess, including natural language libraries. In one or moreembodiments, the libraries utilized for the speech recognition can beselected based on an identification of one or more parties that areinvolved in the communication session. For instance, a user can beidentified as speaking with a particular accent and a librarycorresponding to that accent can be utilized. Other information, such asage, educational background, nationality, geographic location and soforth of one or more of the parties to the communication session can beused as criteria in selecting libraries for identifying words in theuser speech via speech recognition.

At 1108, the user speech can be adjusted to generate adjusted userspeech by replacing all or a portion of the unclear word withreplacement audio content. In one embodiment, only a portion of theunclear word (e.g., a dropped syllable at the end of the unclear word)is replaced with the audio content without replacing a remainder of theunclear word (e.g., the beginning portion of the word). At 1110, theadjusted user speech can be provided from the server 110 (or otherdevice(s) operating as the accessibility adjustment platform) to thefirst end user device during the communication session. The adjustmentof the unclear word can be performed in a timely manner so as to enablea smooth conversation between the users of the communication session. Inone embodiment, the adjusted unclear word is inserted into the stream ofaudio content without delay that is noticeable to the users.

In one or more embodiments, one or more steps of method 1000 can be usedwith one or more steps of method 1100 such as providing multipleadjustments to user speech including amplification of selectedfrequencies and replacement of all or a portion of unclear words withsynthesized or recorded speech.

In one or more embodiments, the replacement audio content can besynthesized speech, recorded speech or a combination thereof. In one ormore embodiments, the server 110 can access a speech profile for asecond user of the second end user device and can detect an undesirablespeech trait associated with the second user according to the speechprofile, where the speech recognition is applied to the user speechresponsive to the detecting of the undesirable speech trait.

In one or more embodiments, the server 110 can generate the speechprofile based on an analysis of one or more previous communicationsessions associated with the second user. In one or more embodiments,the server 110 can identify another unclear word in the user speechbased on the speech recognition, where the adjusting of the user speechto generate the adjusted user speech includes replacing the otherunclear word in its entirety with one of synthesized speech or recordedspeech. In one or more embodiments, the server 110 can access a speechprofile for a second user of the second end user device and can accessan impairment profile for a first user of the first end user device. Inthis example, the server 110 can detect at least one of an undesirablespeech trait associated with the second user according to the speechprofile or an impairment associated with the first user according to theimpairment profile, where the speech recognition is applied to the userspeech responsive to the detecting of at least one of the undesirablespeech trait or the impairment, and where the speech recognition is notapplied to the user speech responsive to the undesirable speech traitand the impairment not being detected. Continuing with this example, theadjusting of the user speech to generate the adjusted user speech caninclude amplifying selective frequencies of the user speech.

In one or more embodiments, the server 110 can access an impairmentprofile for a first user of the first end user device, where theimpairment profile includes an audiogram for the first user, and wherethe selective frequencies that are amplified are selected based on theaudiogram. Continuing with this example, a hearing test can be providedat a communication device (e.g., end user device 120) of the first userprior to the communication session and the audiogram can be generatedbased on the hearing test. In one or more embodiments, the audiogram canbe obtained from a remote source operated by a third party that isdifferent from a service provider operating the system. In one or moreembodiments, the user speech can be analyzed to generate undesirablespeech data, a speech profile for the second user can be accessed; andthe speech profile can be adjusted to indicate another undesirablespeech trait associated with the second user according to theundesirable speech data.

FIG. 12 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system1200 for delivering media content and providing communication sessionswith accessibility adjustments. The communication system 1200 canrepresent an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) media system.Communication system 1200 can be overlaid or operably coupled withsystems 100-900 as another representative embodiment of communicationsystem 1200. In one or more embodiments, system 1200 enables dynamicallyreplacing all or a portion of one or more identified unclear words in acommunication session with replacement audio content such as synthesizedor recorded speech.

In one or more embodiments, system 1200 enables determining a firstimpairment associated with a first user of a first end user device andreceiving user input captured at a second end user device during acommunication session between the first and second end user devices.System 1200 enables storing instructions for executing a group ofadjustment techniques for modifying the user input, where the group ofadjustment techniques includes amplifying selective frequencies andtranslating the user input into sign language images. System 1200enables selecting an adjustment technique from among the group ofadjustment techniques, adjusting the user input according to theadjustment technique to generate adjusted user input, and providing theadjusted user input to the first end user device during thecommunication session. Various components of system 1200 will bedescribed herein that can perform all or a portion of the accessibilityadjustments of the exemplary embodiments, including the steps of method1000.

The IPTV media system can include a super head-end office (SHO) 1210with at least one super headend office server (SHS) 1211 which receivesmedia content from satellite and/or terrestrial communication systems.In the present context, media content can represent, for example, audiocontent, moving image content such as 2D or 3D videos, video games,virtual reality content, still image content, and combinations thereof.The SHS server 1211 can forward packets associated with the mediacontent to one or more video head-end servers (VHS) 1214 via a networkof video head-end offices (VHO) 1212 according to a multicastcommunication protocol.

The VHS 1214 can distribute multimedia broadcast content via an accessnetwork 1218 to commercial and/or residential buildings 1202 housing agateway 1204 (such as a residential or commercial gateway). The accessnetwork 1218 can represent a group of digital subscriber line accessmultiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a service areainterface that provide broadband services over fiber optical links orcopper twisted pairs 1219 to buildings 1202. The gateway 1204 can usecommunication technology to distribute broadcast signals to mediaprocessors 1206 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast channels to media devices 1208 such as computers or televisionsets managed in some instances by a media controller 1207 (such as aninfrared or RF remote controller).

The gateway 1204, the media processors 1206, and media devices 1208 canutilize tethered communication technologies (such as coaxial, powerlineor phone line wiring) or can operate over a wireless access protocolsuch as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth, Zigbee, or other present ornext generation local or personal area wireless network technologies. Byway of these interfaces, unicast communications can also be invokedbetween the media processors 1206 and subsystems of the IPTV mediasystem for services such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing anelectronic programming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services.

A satellite broadcast television system 1229 can be used in the mediasystem of FIG. 12. The satellite broadcast television system can beoverlaid, operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system as anotherrepresentative embodiment of communication system 1200. In thisembodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 1215 that include mediacontent can be received by a satellite dish receiver 1231 coupled to thebuilding 1202. Modulated signals received by the satellite dish receiver1231 can be transferred to the media processors 1206 for demodulating,decoding, encoding, and/or distributing broadcast channels to the mediadevices 1208. The media processors 1206 can be equipped with a broadbandport to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network 1232 to enableinteractive services such as VoD and EPG as described above.

In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital cable broadcastdistribution system such as cable TV system 1233 can be overlaid,operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system and/or the satelliteTV system as another representative embodiment of communication system1200. In this embodiment, the cable TV system 1233 can also provideInternet, telephony, and interactive media services.

The subject disclosure can apply to other present or next generationover-the-air and/or landline media content services system.

Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled toone or more computing devices 1230, a portion of which can operate as aweb server for providing web portal services over the ISP network 1232to wireline media devices 1208 or wireless communication devices 1216.

Communication system 1200 can also provide for all or a portion of thecomputing devices 1230 to function as a multimedia accessibilityplatform (herein referred to as server 1230), including performing allor a portion of the functions of server 110 described with respect tosystems 100-900. The server 1230 can use computing and communicationtechnology to perform function 1262, which can include among otherthings, identifying one or more impairments associated with one or moreusers for a communication session, obtaining impairment informationassociated with the identified impairment(s), selecting an appropriateadjustment technique for captured or otherwise obtained content,adjusting the content (e.g., user speech, sign language images, text,graphics and so forth) based on the selected adjustment technique andthe impairment information. The media processors 1206 and wirelesscommunication devices 1216 can be provisioned with software functions1264 to utilize the services of server 1230, such as providingimpairment information, requesting an accessibility adjustment,performing an impairment test (e.g., an audio test to generate anaudiogram), pre-processing of the captured content, processing some ofthe accessibility adjustment functions of method 1000 to create adistributed processing environment with the server 1230, and so forth.

Multiple forms of media services can be offered to media devices overlandline technologies such as those described above. Additionally, mediaservices can be offered to media devices by way of a wireless accessbase station 1217 operating according to common wireless accessprotocols such as Global System for Mobile or GSM, Code DivisionMultiple Access or CDMA, Time Division Multiple Access or TDMA,Universal Mobile Telecommunications or UMTS, World interoperability forMicrowave or WiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR, Long Term Evolutionor LTE, and so on. Other present and next generation wide area wirelessaccess network technologies can be used in one or more embodiments ofthe subject disclosure.

FIG. 13 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system1300 employing an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture tofacilitate the combined services of circuit-switched and packet-switchedsystems. Communication system 1300 can be overlaid or operably coupledwith systems 100-900 and communication system 1200 as anotherrepresentative embodiment of communication system 1300.

System 1300 enables receiving user speech captured at a second end userdevice during a communication session between the second end user deviceand a first end user device, accessing a second profile for a seconduser of the second end user device, and accessing a first profile for afirst user of the first end user device. The system 1300 enablesdetecting at least one of an undesirable speech trait associated withthe second user according to the second profile or an impairmentassociated with the first user according to the first profile. Thesystem 1300 enables applying speech recognition to the user speechresponsive to the detecting of at least one of the undesirable speechtrait or the impairment and enables identifying an unclear word in theuser speech based on the speech recognition. The system 1300 enablesadjusting the user speech to generate adjusted user speech by replacingat least a portion of the unclear word with replacement audio contentand providing the adjusted user speech to the first end user deviceduring the communication session.

System 1300 enables end user devices to: provide impairment information,such as to an application server, receive adjusted user input as part ofa communication session, and/or present the adjusted user input. Theadjusted user input can be generated (e.g., by the application server)from a modification of user input captured at one of the end userdevices during the communication session, where the modification isresponsive to a detection of an impairment of a user. The adjusted userinput can be based on an adjustment technique selected (e.g., by theapplication server) from among a group of adjustment techniques.Instructions for executing the group of adjustment techniques can bestored or otherwise be accessible (e.g., to the application server),where the group of adjustment techniques can include amplifyingselective frequencies, converting speech to text, and/or translatinguser input into sign language images.

Communication system 1300 can comprise an HSS 1340, a tElephone NUmberMapping (ENUM) server 1330, and other network elements of an IMS network1350. The IMS network 1350 can establish communications betweenIMS-compliant communication devices (CDs) 1301, 1302, Public SwitchedTelephone Network (PSTN) CDs 1303, 1305, and combinations thereof by wayof a Media Gateway Control Function (MGCF) 1320 coupled to a PSTNnetwork 1360. The MGCF 1320 need not be used when a communicationsession involves IMS CD to IMS CD communications. A communicationsession involving at least one PSTN CD may utilize the MGCF 1320.

IMS CDs 1301, 1302 can register with the IMS network 1350 by contactinga Proxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates withan interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF), which in turn, communicates with aS-CSCF to register the CDs with the HSS 1340. To initiate acommunication session between CDs, an originating IMS CD 1301 can submita Session Initiation Protocol (SIP INVITE) message to an originatingP-CSCF 1304 which communicates with a corresponding originating S-CSCF1306. The originating S-CSCF 1306 can submit the SIP INVITE message toone or more application servers (ASs) 1317 that can provide a variety ofservices to IMS subscribers.

For example, the application servers 1317 can be used to performoriginating call feature treatment functions on the calling party numberreceived by the originating S-CSCF 1306 in the SIP INVITE message.Originating treatment functions can include determining whether thecalling party number has international calling services, call IDblocking, calling name blocking, 7-digit dialing, and/or is requestingspecial telephony features (e.g., *72 forward calls, *73 cancel callforwarding, *67 for caller ID blocking, and so on). Based on initialfilter criteria (iFCs) in a subscriber profile associated with a CD, oneor more application servers may be invoked to provide various calloriginating feature services.

Additionally, the originating S-CSCF 1306 can submit queries to the ENUMsystem 1330 to translate an E.164 telephone number in the SIP INVITEmessage to a SIP Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) if the terminatingcommunication device is IMS-compliant. The SIP URI can be used by anInterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 1307 to submit a query to the HSS 1340 toidentify a terminating S-CSCF 1314 associated with a terminating IMS CDsuch as reference 1302. Once identified, the I-CSCF 1307 can submit theSIP INVITE message to the terminating S-CSCF 1314. The terminatingS-CSCF 1314 can then identify a terminating P-CSCF 1316 associated withthe terminating CD 1302. The P-CSCF 1316 may then signal the CD 1302 toestablish Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication services,thereby enabling the calling and called parties to engage in voiceand/or data communications. Based on the iFCs in the subscriber profile,one or more application servers may be invoked to provide various callterminating feature services, such as call forwarding, do not disturb,music tones, simultaneous ringing, sequential ringing, etc.

In some instances the aforementioned communication process issymmetrical. Accordingly, the terms “originating” and “terminating” inFIG. 13 may be interchangeable. It is further noted that communicationsystem 1300 can be adapted to support video conferencing. In addition,communication system 1300 can be adapted to provide the IMS CDs 1301,1302 with the multimedia and Internet services of communication system1200 of FIG. 12.

If the terminating communication device is instead a PSTN CD such as CD1303 or CD 1305 (in instances where the cellular phone only supportscircuit-switched voice communications), the ENUM system 1330 can respondwith an unsuccessful address resolution which can cause the originatingS-CSCF 1306 to forward the call to the MGCF 1320 via a Breakout GatewayControl Function (BGCF) 1319. The MGCF 1320 can then initiate the callto the terminating PSTN CD over the PSTN network 1360 to enable thecalling and called parties to engage in voice and/or datacommunications.

It is further appreciated that the CDs of FIG. 13 can operate aswireline or wireless devices. For example, the CDs of FIG. 13 can becommunicatively coupled to a cellular base station 1321, a femtocell, aWiFi router, a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) baseunit, or another suitable wireless access unit to establishcommunications with the IMS network 1350 of FIG. 13. The cellular accessbase station 1321 can operate according to common wireless accessprotocols such as GSM, CDMA, TDMA, UMTS, WiMax, SDR, LTE, and so on.Other present and next generation wireless network technologies can beused by one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure. Accordingly,multiple wireline and wireless communication technologies can be used bythe CDs of FIG. 13.

Cellular phones supporting LTE can support packet-switched voice andpacket-switched data communications and thus may operate asIMS-compliant mobile devices. In this embodiment, the cellular basestation 1321 may communicate directly with the IMS network 1350 as shownby the arrow connecting the cellular base station 1321 and the P-CSCF1316.

It is further understood that alternative forms of a CSCF can operate ina device, system, component, or other form of centralized or distributedhardware and/or software. Indeed, a respective CSCF may be embodied as arespective CSCF system having one or more computers or servers, eithercentralized or distributed, where each computer or server may beconfigured to perform or provide, in whole or in part, any method, step,or functionality described herein in accordance with a respective CSCF.Likewise, other functions, servers and computers described herein,including but not limited to, the HSS, the ENUM server, the BGCF, andthe MGCF, can be embodied in a respective system having one or morecomputers or servers, either centralized or distributed, where eachcomputer or server may be configured to perform or provide, in whole orin part, any method, step, or functionality described herein inaccordance with a respective function, server, or computer.

In one or more embodiments, the server 1230 of FIG. 12 can be operablycoupled to the communication system 1300 for purposes similar to thosedescribed above. Server 1230 can perform functions 462 and therebyprovide accessibility adjustment services to the CDs 1301, 1302, 1303and 1305 of FIG. 13. CDs 1301, 1302, 1303 and 1305, which can be adaptedwith software to perform functions 464 to utilize the services of theserver 1230 and/or the application server 1317. In other embodiments,server 1230 can be an integral part of the application server(s) 1317performing functions 462. In one embodiment, server 1230 and applicationserver 1317 can perform a distributed environment for performing theaccessibility adjustments.

For illustration purposes only, the terms S-CSCF, P-CSCF, I-CSCF, and soon, can be server devices, but may be referred to in the subjectdisclosure without the word “server.” It is also understood that anyform of a CSCF server can operate in a device, system, component, orother form of centralized or distributed hardware and software. It isfurther noted that these terms and other terms such as DIAMETER commandsare terms can include features, methodologies, and/or fields that may bedescribed in whole or in part by standards bodies such as 3rd GenerationPartnership Project (3GPP). It is further noted that some or allembodiments of the subject disclosure may in whole or in part modify,supplement, or otherwise supersede final or proposed standards publishedand promulgated by 3GPP.

FIG. 14 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device1400. Communication device 1400 can serve in whole or in part as anillustrative embodiment of the devices depicted in FIGS. 1-9 and 12-13,including server 110, server 1230, application server 1317, end userdevices 120, and so forth. As an example, device 1400 can provideimpairment information such as to application server 1317 of FIG. 13.Device 1400 can receive adjusted user input from the server 1317 duringa communication session between the device and a second end user device,wherein the adjusted user input is generated from a modification of userinput captured at the second end user device during the communicationsession. The modification can be responsive to a detection of a firstimpairment of a first user of the device 1400 and can be based on anadjustment technique selected by the server 1317 from among a group ofadjustment techniques. In one embodiment, instructions for executing thegroup of adjustment techniques can be accessible to the server 1317, andthe group of adjustment techniques can include amplifying selectivefrequencies and translating the user input into sign language images.The device 1400 can present the adjusted user input at the first enduser device. In one embodiment, the device 1400 can capture other userinput at a user interface, and can provide the other user input to theserver 1217 to enable the server to generate adjusted other user inputresponsive to a detection of a second impairment of a second user of thesecond end user device and based on another adjustment techniqueselected by the server 1217 from among the group of adjustmenttechniques. The server 1217 can provide the adjusted other user input tothe second end user device for presentation.

To enable these features, communication device 1400 can comprise awireline and/or wireless transceiver 1402 (herein transceiver 1402), auser interface (UI) 1404, a power supply 1414, a location receiver 1416,a motion sensor 1418, an orientation sensor 1420, and a controller 1406for managing operations thereof. The transceiver 1402 can supportshort-range or long-range wireless access technologies such asBluetooth, ZigBee, WiFi, DECT, or cellular communication technologies,just to mention a few. Cellular technologies can include, for example,CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX, SDR, LTE, aswell as other next generation wireless communication technologies asthey arise. The transceiver 1402 can also be adapted to supportcircuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 1404 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 1408with a navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse,or a navigation disk for manipulating operations of the communicationdevice 1400. The keypad 1408 can be an integral part of a housingassembly of the communication device 1400 or an independent deviceoperably coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USBcable) or a wireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth. Thekeypad 1408 can represent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones,and/or a QWERTY keypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 1404 can furtherinclude a display 1410 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid CrystalDisplay), OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable displaytechnology for conveying images to an end user of the communicationdevice 1400. In an embodiment where the display 1410 is touch-sensitive,a portion or all of the keypad 1408 can be presented by way of thedisplay 1410 with navigation features.

The display 1410 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 1400 can be adapted to present a user interfacewith graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by auser with a touch of a finger. The touch screen display 1410 can beequipped with capacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technologyto detect how much surface area of a user's finger has been placed on aportion of the touch screen display. This sensing information can beused to control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functionsof the user interface. The display 1410 can be an integral part of thehousing assembly of the communication device 1400 or an independentdevice communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface(such as a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 1404 can also include an audio system 1412 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 1412 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 1412 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI1404 can further include an image sensor 1413 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 1414 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 1400 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable applications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 1416 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 1400 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor1418 can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 1400 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 1420 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device1400 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 1400 can use the transceiver 1402 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 1406 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 1400.

Other components not shown in FIG. 14 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 1400 can include a reset button (not shown). The reset button canbe used to reset the controller 1406 of the communication device 1400.In yet another embodiment, the communication device 1400 can alsoinclude a factory default setting button positioned, for example, belowa small hole in a housing assembly of the communication device 1400 toforce the communication device 1400 to re-establish factory settings. Inthis embodiment, a user can use a protruding object such as a pen orpaper clip tip to reach into the hole and depress the default settingbutton. The communication device 1400 can also include a slot for addingor removing an identity module such as a Subscriber Identity Module(SIM) card. SIM cards can be used for identifying subscriber services,executing programs, storing subscriber data, and so forth.

The communication device 1400 as described herein can operate with moreor less of the circuit components shown in FIG. 14. These variantembodiments can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

The communication device 1400 can be adapted to perform the functions ofthe servers 110, 1230, 1317 of FIGS. 1-9 and 12-13, the media processor1206, the media devices 1208, or the portable communication devices 1216of FIG. 12, as well as the IMS CDs 1301-1302 and PSTN CDs 1303-1305 ofFIG. 13. It will be appreciated that the communication device 1400 canalso represent other devices that can operate in communication systems100-900 and 1200-1300 of FIGS. 1-9 and 12-13 such as a gaming consoleand a media player.

The communication device 1400 shown in FIG. 14 or portions thereof canserve as a representation of one or more of the devices of systems100-900 and 1200-1300. In addition, the controller 1406 can be adaptedin various embodiments to perform the functions 462 and 464 in order tofacilitate accessibility adjustments.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope of theclaims described below. For example, the accessibility adjustments canbe performed for more than two users involved in a communicationsession. As an example, a conference call amongst three or more users atthree or more different end user devices can result in various userinput adjustments being made and delivered to the respective user basedon an impairment of that user. For instance, the first user may desireselective frequency amplification of user speech, the second user maydesire a speech-to-text conversion, and the third user may desire aspeech-to-sign language conversion. In this example, the server 110 (orother device performing the accessibility adjustment) would performmultiple adjustments on the same user input to satisfy the desires ofthe recipients.

In another embodiment, there may be multiple users utilizing a singlefirst end user device that is in a communication with a second end userdevice. In this example, the server 110 (or other device performing theaccessibility adjustment) would determine the adjustments to be madewhich would satisfy the desires of the multiple users at the singledevice. For example, if one of the first users has a mild hearingimpairment and another of the users has a severe hearing impairment thenthe server may select a speech-to-text conversion of the user speech. Inother embodiments, multiple conversions can be performed to satisfy bothimpairments, such as delivering both adapted user speech (e.g.,amplifying selected frequencies based on an audiogram) and sign languageimages to the single first end user device.

In one or more embodiments, the conversion of the user input (e.g., userspeech) may not be verbatim. For instance, words or phrases can bechanged based on a number of factors, such as education level of therecipient. In another embodiment, certain words may be changed toaccount for other impairments, such as trying to avoid certain wordsbased on detecting a recipient user that has dyslexia.

In one or more embodiments, the user input can be content that isobtained from another source rather than captured at the device. Forexample, a first user may download and transmit a color image to asecond user where colors can be modified in color image by server 110 toaccount for a detected color blindness of the second user.

In one or more embodiments, cognitive impairments can be addressed. Asan example, a user with limited reading ability (e.g., in a developingcountry) may rent or otherwise temporarily obtain a cell phone. The usermay speak his or her name, which is recognized and authenticated. Theuser may be provided with an icon based interface that minimizes readingdependency. The user's personal Enhanced Address Book (EAB) can bedownloaded from server 110 to the end user device. The user can seeimages of friends, their communication capabilities, and/or socialpresence information of the user's contacts (e.g., RCS functionality).The user can tap on a video icon by a friend's image, and a video callcan be established. In this embodiment, iconography can be implementedby the server 110 to facilitate the communication session based on adetected or determined cognitive impairment of the user. Otheraccessibility adjustments can also be performed including languagetranslations.

In one or more embodiments, end user devices can be automaticallyprovisioned (e.g., at the time of purchase of the device) withinformation and software to make use of the accessibility adjustmentfunctionality of server 110. Other embodiments can be used in thesubject disclosure.

It should be understood that devices described in the exemplaryembodiments can be in communication with each other via various wirelessand/or wired methodologies. The methodologies can be links that aredescribed as coupled, connected and so forth, which can includeunidirectional and/or bidirectional communication over wireless pathsand/or wired paths that utilize one or more of various protocols ormethodologies, where the coupling and/or connection can be direct (e.g.,no intervening processing device) and/or indirect (e.g., an intermediaryprocessing device such as a router).

FIG. 15 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 1500 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethods describe above. One or more instances of the machine canoperate, for example, as the server 110, 1230, 1317 and other devices ofFIGS. 1-9 and 11-14 in order to perform accessibility adjustments. Insome embodiments, the machine may be connected (e.g., using a network1526) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine mayoperate in the capacity of a server or a client user machine inserver-client user network environment, or as a peer machine in apeer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a smart phone, a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge,or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a communication device of the subject disclosureincludes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video ordata communication. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, theterm “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machinesthat individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) ofinstructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.

The computer system 1500 may include a processor (or controller) 1502(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU,or both), a main memory 1504 and a static memory 1506, which communicatewith each other via a bus 1508. The computer system 1500 may furtherinclude a display unit 1510 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), aflat panel, or a solid state display. The computer system 1500 mayinclude an input device 1512 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device1514 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 1516, a signal generation device1518 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interface device1520. In distributed environments, the embodiments described in thesubject disclosure can be adapted to utilize multiple display units 1510controlled by two or more computer systems 1500. In this configuration,presentations described by the subject disclosure may in part be shownin a first of the display units 1510, while the remaining portion ispresented in a second of the display units 1510.

The disk drive unit 1516 may include a tangible computer-readablestorage medium 1522 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions(e.g., software 1524) embodying any one or more of the methods orfunctions described herein, including those methods illustrated above.The instructions 1524 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 1504, the static memory 1506, and/or within theprocessor 1502 during execution thereof by the computer system 1500. Themain memory 1504 and the processor 1502 also may constitute tangiblecomputer-readable storage media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices that can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Application specific integrated circuits andprogrammable logic array can use downloadable instructions for executingstate machines and/or circuit configurations to implement embodiments ofthe subject disclosure. Applications that may include the apparatus andsystems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronicand computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions in two ormore specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with relatedcontrol and data signals communicated between and through the modules,or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, theexample system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the subject disclosure, theoperations or methods described herein are intended for operation assoftware programs or instructions running on or executed by a computerprocessor or other computing device, and which may include other formsof instructions manifested as a state machine implemented with logiccomponents in an application specific integrated circuit or fieldprogrammable array. Furthermore, software implementations (e.g.,software programs, instructions, etc.) can include, but not limited to,distributed processing or component/object distributed processing,parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also beconstructed to implement the methods described herein. It is furthernoted that a computing device such as a processor, a controller, a statemachine or other suitable device for executing instructions to performoperations or methods may perform such operations directly or indirectlyby way of one or more intermediate devices directed by the computingdevice.

While the tangible computer-readable storage medium 622 is shown in anexample embodiment to be a single medium, the term “tangiblecomputer-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a singlemedium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database,and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets ofinstructions. The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shallalso be taken to include any non-transitory medium that is capable ofstoring or encoding a set of instructions for execution by the machineand that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods ofthe subject disclosure. The term “non-transitory” as in a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage includes without limitation memories, drives,devices and anything tangible but not a signal per se.

The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall accordinglybe taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such asa memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only(non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable(volatile) memories, a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a diskor tape, or other tangible media which can be used to store information.Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more ofa tangible computer-readable storage medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are from time-to-timesuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Wireless standards for device detection (e.g.,RFID), short-range communications (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, Zigbee), andlong-range communications (e.g., WiMAX, GSM, CDMA, LTE) can be used bycomputer system 1500.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated toachieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodimentsshown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations orvariations of various embodiments. Combinations of the aboveembodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein,can be used in the subject disclosure. In one or more embodiments,features that are positively recited can also be excluded from theembodiment with or without replacement by another component or step. Thesteps or functions described with respect to the exemplary processes ormethods can be performed in any order. The steps or functions describedwith respect to the exemplary processes or methods can be performedalone or in combination with other steps or functions (from otherembodiments or from other steps that have not been described). Less thanall of the steps or functions described with respect to the exemplaryprocesses or methods can also be performed in one or more of theexemplary embodiments. Further, the use of numerical terms to describe adevice, component, step or function, such as first, second, third, andso forth, is not intended to describe an order or function unlessexpressly stated so. The use of the terms first, second, third and soforth, is generally to distinguish between devices, components, steps orfunctions unless expressly stated otherwise. Additionally, one or moredevices or components described with respect to the exemplaryembodiments can facilitate one or more steps or functions, where thefacilitating (e.g., facilitating access or facilitating establishing aconnection) can include less than all of the steps needed to perform thefunction or can include all of the steps of the function.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can beseen that various features are grouped together in a single embodimentfor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method ofdisclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that theclaimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited ineach claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subjectmatter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimedsubject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: receiving, by a systemincluding a processor, user speech captured at a second end user deviceduring a communication session between the second end user device and afirst end user device, wherein the user speech is received by the systemfrom the second end user device; applying, by the system, speechrecognition to the user speech; identifying, by the system, an unclearword in the user speech based on the speech recognition; adjusting, bythe system, the user speech to generate adjusted user speech byreplacing a portion of the unclear word with replacement audio contentwithout replacing a remainder of the unclear word, wherein the replacingof the portion of the unclear word includes replacing a dropped syllableof the unclear word; and providing, by the system, the adjusted userspeech to the first end user device during the communication session. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the replacement audio content comprisessynthesized speech and further comprising: accessing, by the system, aspeech profile for a second user of the second end user device; anddetecting, by the system, an undesirable speech trait associated withthe second user according to the speech profile, wherein the speechrecognition is applied to the user speech responsive to the detecting ofthe undesirable speech trait.
 3. The method of claim 2, comprising:generating, by the system, the speech profile based on an analysis of aprevious communication session associated with the second user, whereinthe system comprises an application programming interface accessible bya remote device that is operated by a third party that is different froma service provider operating the system, and wherein the adjusting ofthe user speech is according to instructions stored and executed by thesystem which are received from the remote device.
 4. The method of claim1, comprising identifying, by the system, another unclear word in theuser speech based on the speech recognition, wherein the adjusting ofthe user speech to generate the adjusted user speech includes replacingthe other unclear word in its entirety with one of synthesized speech orrecorded speech.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the replacement audiocontent comprises recorded speech.
 6. The method of claim 1, comprising:accessing, by the system, a speech profile for a second user of thesecond end user device; accessing, by the system, an impairment profilefor a first user of the first end user device; and detecting, by thesystem, at least one of an undesirable speech trait associated with thesecond user according to the speech profile or an impairment associatedwith the first user according to the impairment profile, wherein thespeech recognition is applied to the user speech responsive to thedetecting of at least one of the undesirable speech trait or theimpairment, and wherein the speech recognition is not applied to theuser speech responsive to the undesirable speech trait and theimpairment not being detected.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein theadjusting of the user speech to generate the adjusted user speechincludes amplifying selective frequencies of the user speech.
 8. Themethod of claim 7, comprising accessing, by the system, an impairmentprofile for a first user of the first end user device, wherein theimpairment profile includes an audiogram for the first user, and whereinthe selective frequencies that are amplified are selected based on theaudiogram.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: providing ahearing test at a communication device of the first user prior to thecommunication session; and generating the audiogram based on the hearingtest.
 10. The method of claim 8, comprising obtaining the audiogram froma remote source operated by a third party that is different from aservice provider operating the system.
 11. The method of claim 1,comprising: analyzing the user speech to generate undesirable speechdata; accessing a speech profile for the second user; and adjusting thespeech profile to indicate an undesirable speech trait associated withthe second user according to the undesirable speech data.
 12. A system,comprising: a memory that stores executable instructions; and aprocessor coupled with the memory, wherein the processor, responsive toexecuting the executable instructions, performs operations comprising:receiving user speech captured at a second end user device during acommunication session between a second user of the second end userdevice and a first user of a first end user device; detecting at leastone of an undesirable speech trait associated with the second user or animpairment associated with the first user; applying speech recognitionto the user speech responsive to the detecting of at least one of theundesirable speech trait or the impairment; identifying an unclear wordin the user speech based on the speech recognition; storing instructionsfor executing a group of adjustment techniques for modifying the userspeech, wherein the group of adjustment techniques includes providingreplacement audio content and translating the other user speech intosign language images; selecting an adjustment technique from among thegroup of adjustment techniques according to the at least one of theundesirable speech trait or the impairment; responsive to the selectedadjustment technique including the providing of the replacement audiocontent, adjusting the user speech to generate adjusted user speech byreplacing at least a portion of the unclear word with the replacementaudio content; and providing the adjusted user speech to the first enduser device during the communication session.
 13. The system of claim12, wherein the replacement audio content comprises synthesized speech,wherein the adjusting of the user speech comprises replacing a syllableof the unclear word with the synthesized speech without replacing aremainder of the unclear word, and wherein the processor comprises aplurality of processors operating in a distributed processingenvironment.
 14. The system of claim 12, wherein the replacement audiocontent comprises recorded speech and wherein the operations furthercomprise obtaining the recorded speech from a previous communicationsession associated with the second user.
 15. The system of claim 12,wherein the operations further comprise: accessing a second profile forthe second user of the second end user device; and accessing a firstprofile for the first user of the first end user device, wherein thedetecting of the at least one of the undesirable speech trait associatedwith the second user or the impairment associated with the first user isbased on the second and first profiles, respectively, wherein the firstprofile includes an audiogram for the first user and wherein theoperations further comprise: generating the second profile based on ananalysis of a previous communication session associated with the seconduser; and obtaining the audiogram from one of a remote source or ahearing test performed by a communication device of the first user,wherein the remote source is operated by a third party that is differentfrom a service provider operating the system.
 16. The system of claim12, comprising an application programming interface connected with theprocessor, wherein the application programming interface is accessibleby a remote device that is operated by a third party that is differentfrom a service provider operating the system, and wherein the adjustingof the user speech is according to instructions stored and executed bythe processor which are received from the remote device.
 17. The systemof claim 12, wherein the operations further comprise: determininganother impairment of the second user; receiving other user speechcaptured at the first end user device during the communication session;selecting a second adjustment technique from among the group ofadjustment techniques according to the other impairment of the seconduser; adjusting the other user speech according to the second adjustmenttechnique to generate adjusted other user speech; and providing theadjusted other user speech to the second end user device during thecommunication session.
 18. A computer-readable storage device comprisingcomputer instructions which, responsive to being executed by a processorof a first end user device, causes the processor to perform operationscomprising: receiving adjusted user speech from a system that includesan application server during a communication session between the firstend user device and a second end user device, wherein the adjusted userspeech is generated from a modification of user speech captured at thesecond end user device during the communication session, wherein themodification is responsive to a detection of at least one of animpairment of a first user of the first end user device or anundesirable speech trait of a second user of the second end user device,wherein the modification includes identifying an unclear word utilizingspeech recognition and replacing a portion of the unclear word withreplacement audio content without replacing a remainder of the unclearword; presenting the adjusted user speech at the first end user device;capturing other user speech at the first end user device; and providingthe other user speech to the system to enable the system to generateadjusted other user speech responsive to a detection of anotherimpairment of the second user of the second end user device and based onan adjustment technique selected by the system from among a group ofadjustment techniques, wherein the system provides the adjusted otheruser speech to the second end user device for presentation during thecommunication session, wherein instructions are stored by the system forselectively executing the group of adjustment techniques, and whereinthe group of adjustment techniques includes providing replacement audiocontent and translating the other user speech into sign language images.19. The computer-readable storage device of claim 18, wherein thereplacement audio content comprises recorded speech and wherein therecorded speech is obtained from a previous communication session of thesecond user.
 20. The computer-readable storage device of claim 18,wherein the operations further comprise translating the other userspeech into text, and wherein the processor comprises a plurality ofprocessors operating in a distributed processing environment.